What do you want to do at SpaceX? If you want to work on hardware, get a degree in mechanical engineering. If you want to work on software, probably computer science with an aerospace engineering minor. If you want to do PR or hiring or any of that sort of thing, then those majors.

The very most important thing is that you do projects while in college that represent what you want to do as a job. Want to work on rocket engines? Build a rocket engine.

Join SEDS, take over the chapter, do interesting things.

Have really good job references.

Source: I hired interns at another aerospace company, and often had my picks taken first by SpaceX, so I was filtering the same way they were. I also have friends who work at SpaceX now.

I'm a planetary scientist and work on several Mars missions (including Curiosity). People who get that degree from ASU pretty much only go into my field, and even then, usually in planetary geology. I know a lot of people with connections to that ASU program. I only know engineers at SpaceX. If you're passionate about planetary science instead... then talk to me. :)

Could you tell me more about your job? what you like and don't like about it? pay? I want to know everything! I'm really eager to be part of any exploration efforts. Maybe I'm a young idealist with my head in the clouds but I would love to be part of colonization efforts, especially Elon Musk's. It just seems to me that if anyone can do it he can. And I love science and have a decent math background, but Idk if I could handle the math or if I could find the work interesting enough to pursue a degree in engineering.

Hey! I'm a high school senior that is also extremely interested in aerospace! I'm taking it from the mechE side, as i'll be enrolling at Cooper Union next year. We should connect and hopefully we can work together in the future, as SpaceX apparently loves Cooper.

Well I'm still a grad student for now, but I'm in the process of applying at JPL and Malin Space Science Systems. I'm getting my master's in atmospheric science at Texas A&M, and I got my bachelor's in the same field at the same university. Most people get PhDs, but my department was stupid and kicked me out of the PhD program for not being a "pure" enough atmospheric scientist because I have no interest in climate change or air pollution.

With my undergrad I got a math minor. And let me tell you, I hate math. Absolutely hate it. However, I love meteorology so much I suffered through it. And now in grad school... I only use a few aspects of math and most are pretty basic and I fully understand. I also picked out a bunch of profs with good ratings and worked hard to pass.

So my advisor picked me up in my first year of undergrad and has basically trained me to be a planetary scientist. We turned my degrees into as close of planetary science degrees as possible by taking classes in geology, geophysics, oceanography, etc. I got an Earth sciences minor out of it too. He took me to Tucson, AZ for operations of the Phoenix lander in my first summer of college. Then for the last few years I've been doing data analysis and research using images from Phoenix and MER (Spirit and Opportunity). Now I'm on the Malin Space Science System's science team working camera operations for Curiosity. I got to work for the first 3 months of Curiosity at JPL. I also won two NASA Langley engineering contests with my SEDS chapter by designing equipment for Constellation when it was still active.

My particular interests are atmosphere/astronomy events visible with cameras from Mars. Over the years I've looked at dust devils, Phobos and Deimos transits, and nighttime pictures of the stars and moons to determine atmospheric opacity. On top of this I work camera and environment team operations for Curiosity, so I help determine what to take pictures of and do research with the best people in the world. Every day I feel like I have the best job in the world.

My roommate while I worked at JPL got her degree at ASU and worked there as a research scientist until a few months ago and moved to John Hopkins. She studies basaltic rocks. Mike Malin, who owns Malin Space Science Systems, was a professor at ASU until he formed his own company. Jim Bell was a prof at Cornell until a year or so ago and just moved to ASU, so I totally recommend talking to him and he's awesome and is friendly to undergrads. It's a good program there.

sounds fascinating! I'll look more into engineering, maybe the math will be worth it. So you got a minor in Earth sciences as well as math? I'm planning on being involved with SEDS in college, did it open any doors for you besides the ones from winning the engineering contests? I'll definitely keep the name Jim Bell in mind!

I actually took more math than all the engineers at A&M take. Usually they only have to take through differential equations or that linear algebra class.

Yes, I got two minors. Both were pretty easy to obtain for me. My math minor was only one extra class of my choice at the senior level, so I took a probability class that was incredibly easy since it was just like a statistics class I was already required to take. My Earth sciences minor required taking intro geology, then filling up 12 hours with courses from atmospheric science, geology, geophysics, or oceanography. I already wanted to take planetary geology and the prereq was intro geology, so that was nice. I took intro oceanography just because I was interested, and then the rest of the credits were atmo classes I already had to take.

SEDS has definitely made some connections for me. Especially in the new space industry, it's a huge resume booster. For planetary science, not so much. Not that it hurts, but it's not a stand out item on my resume. I enjoyed SEDS more as a social group to hang out with my fellow space geeks and learn about other aspects of space outside my field. However, that was only my particular chapter experience. I know others build rockets, and UA's chapter builds telescopes. I've made tons of friends through SEDS, not only locally but at their national conference every year, SpaceVision.

"The B.S. in earth and space exploration with a concentration in astrophysics is designed to offer students a fundamental grounding in astronomy and astrophysics, with exposure to the related fields of geology, planetary science and engineering. Students will emerge from this program with the skills to pursue a career in astrophysics, physics or related fields.

The rigorous course work includes a combination of physics courses taught in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Department of Physics. Students should emerge from the program with the ability to compete at the national level on standardized physics exams. The tools of astronomical discovery are increasingly dependent on technological advances, and students will be exposed to engineering principles. Through the capstone project in the senior year, students will gain valuable experience in translating science drivers into engineering specifics."

Aha. That sounds like a good degree if you want to become an astronomer or astrophysicist. It would be a better match for Planetary Resources than SpaceX. SpaceX is ultimately an engineering company, not a science company.

I just got hired there. Pro tips: have lots of cool projects. Most of my co-workers did Formula SAE or other engineering competitions. They look at your ability to actually do the work in small teams and quickly. The interview is hard, and you will think you did not get it. The saving grace is that if it is a no, it comes quickly.
LA is a great place to live and the location of SpaceX is pretty nice.

I'm actually considering applying at the end of next year / beginning of 2014. I did my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and now work in aerospace manufacturing as a Quality Engineer. I've been in the field for 6 years now, and still am green compared to the people I work with, so I'm waiting another year before I even start trying to get a job there. You should really think about what you want to do and tailor your skill set to that. Like others have said, SpaceX is more of an engineering/manufacturing company. My recommendation would be to get an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited university, seek out connections, and apply for internships with aerospace companies.

SpaceX is has quite a few positions open currently--most are engineering positions at the moment. The best things you can do to work for SpaceX at some point is to do well in school, get involved, and take part in/learn things that aren't normally a part of your chosen major's curriculum. Also, if you want to work at SpaceX after college, you definitely need to try and land an internship there. You can do this by taking part in research at your university, as well as completing another internship or a co-op. Good luck!